Japan's Waseda University and the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre have completed work on a scaled down replica of Hue Citadel's Can Chanh Palace.

Lunch time: A model of King Khai Dinh having lunch at the Can Chanh Palace before it was destroyed during the war in 1947. — File Photo

The wooden model will assist in the rebuilding of the palace, which was originally built in 1804 but destroyed during the war in 1947.

Japan provided nearly US$10 million to build the wooden replica of the palace, which is scaled down to a ratio of 1:10.

To work on the preservation of the palace, experts from Viet Nam and Japan have to rely on political and historical documents dating back to the Nguyen dynasty, while also using black and white photos taken in early 20th century and measurements of the remaining palace foundations. They also had to research the construction techniques used to build the palace and interview traditional artisans and elderly people who saw the actual palace before it was destroyed.

"We decided to build this replica to gain experiences and the necessary knowledge for the restoration of the Can Chanh Palace in the future," said.

Nakagawa Takeshi, director of the Heritage Institute at the Wasada University.

"Building a scaled-down replica is an important way to test the structure's dimensions as well as the construction techniques," he said.

Phan Thanh Hai, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre's director, said the project was of great importance to the city.

Source: Viet Nam News